Tadej Pogačar has turned the Tour de Romandie into a personal showcase. The world champion claimed back to back stages, first with a decisive attack to Ovronnaz, then by calmly shutting down every late move before winning a reduced sprint in Vucherens. It is proof that he is no longer relying only on long range mountain raids. He is now winning from any race scenario put in front of him, with tougher climbing still to come this weekend.
The Giro d’Italia has been dramatically reshaped before it even begins. Richard Carapaz is out after surgery, while João Almeida and Mikel Landa also miss the start through illness and injury. With none of last year’s podium lining up, Jonas Vingegaard suddenly becomes the clear headline act as rivals like Jai Hindley, Egan Bernal, Adam Yates and Giulio Pellizzari move up the contenders list ahead of a brutal route to Rome.
Off the road, Zwift has made a major statement by acquiring rival platform Rouvy. The deal brings Rouvy’s real world route library into Zwift’s orbit while allowing it to operate independently, and it strengthens Zwift’s grip on the indoor cycling ecosystem. It also raises fresh questions for the UCI around how cycling esports will be governed as the digital landscape rapidly consolidates.
